by Nikki Ash
“Just give your mommy and I some time to sort things out, and we’ll make sure your room is ready and fit for a king when you do move in.”
I wipe the tears from my eyes and lean in to kiss Leighton’s cheek.
He snuggles between Travis and me, placing his hands on each of our legs. “How cool! I get to sit here with both my mom and my dad!”
Travis leans over and kisses my lips. “Yeah, it is pretty cool.”
Epilogue
Three Years Later
“Hold on! I have to get my shirt!” Leighton yells as he runs down the hall.
I grip my stomach in pain, trying not to get upset with my son.
Travis leans over, kissing the top of my head. “Breathe, baby. Don’t forget to breathe.”
I follow his lead as I take a deep inhale and then exhale as he does it with me.
“Got it!” Leighton comes running to the living room, wearing his I’m the big brother shirt that we bought him when we told him I was pregnant.
He’s been so excited ever since he found out. I know we agreed it was okay for him to come to the hospital with us, but as we sit here, waiting on him, I’m getting nervous about how this is going to go. Since Travis knows everyone at the hospital, they promised they’d watch him when the delivery actually happened if my parents or his mom hadn’t arrived yet.
We’re so lucky to have both of our families here in town to help us raise our kids.
I can’t believe it—our kids.
When I gave birth to Leighton, I only had my mother by my side. Yes, she was supportive and excited to be there, but it wasn’t the same. I remember thinking about Travis as the doctor laid Leighton on my chest. I wished he were there, celebrating the miracle we’d created. I tried not to have the thought ruin my own happiness, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t in the back of my mind.
I can’t believe I’m getting a second chance.
I can’t wait to see his face as he sees his daughter for the first time.
That’s right. His daughter. We’re having a baby girl.
I’ve seen the way he is with Leighton, and I can tell you now that this little girl is going to have him wrapped around her finger. She already does. He painted her entire room pink and decorated it with every princess decor he could find, saying she was his little princess.
“Okay, let’s go have a baby!” Travis shouts as he leads me toward the door.
I’ve seen movies where the dads freak out and act crazy, but that’s not Travis at all. He’s as calm as a cucumber as he walks me down the stairs of our home.
Leighton and I moved in only a few months after I first ran into Travis again. We’d tried to take it slow, but just like that first night we’d met, we had known we were destined to be together.
People always told me that when you found the one, you just knew. I thought they were crazy. That was, until I met Travis. I kick myself for even marrying Daniel and staying with him for so long in such a horrible marriage, yet I have to thank him as well. He led me on our broken path, which gave me Travis.
If not for Daniel, I would never have met Travis, and I would never have had Leighton. God knew we were meant to be together, and that was why we met up again the way we did.
We were married a year after our reunion in a ceremony that included Leighton since we’d also changed his last name to Rivers.
And now, He’s blessed us again.
I walk down the driveway as Leighton rushes past me and jumps in the backseat. I slowly sit down just as a contraction grips hold of me. I grab for the handle and squish my eyes in pain.
“Breathe, baby. Breathe,” Travis says as he wraps his arm around me.
As the contraction calms, I nod my head, letting him know I’m okay and that he can shut the door.
“You’ll be okay, Mommy,” Leighton says as he rubs my shoulder from the backseat.
I glance behind me, smile at him, and place my hand over his. “Thank you, baby.”
“That’s the last time you can call me that, you know. I’m not the baby anymore.” He sits up taller.
I laugh. “I don’t care how old you are; you’ll always be my baby.”
Travis gets on the road, and thankfully, I only have two contractions on the way to the hospital. When we pull up, a nurse is there with a wheelchair for me.
Travis and Leighton follow behind as they rush me to the room they have ready for us. Leighton waits outside as they get me set up in a bed.
Once he’s in my room, he stakes his claim in the chair to my right as Travis stands to my left.
We talk as I try to relax during the calm times, and they each hold one of my hands as contractions rip through my body. Both of our families arrive shortly after we do, and excitement for our newest delivery fills the room.
An hour after I arrived, the doctor checks me again and says it’s time to push. Everyone takes Leighton outside, leaving Travis and me to have our special time alone.
When the doctor tells me to push, I scream with the burning pain, but I feel secure with the help of the man by my side. He leans in and kisses my forehead when I inhale a quick breath and push even harder.
As I drop my head back, he whispers, “You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you.”
Our eyes meet, and I see the tears falling freely down his face. Having him here gives me so much courage and keeps me calm as I inhale a deep breath and push again when the next contraction hits.
I push for a few minutes more. Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, I feel the release, and the scream of a baby girl fills the room.
I fall back, letting my head drop as well, exhausted yet relieved that I did it. I gave birth to our baby girl.
Within seconds, the doctor sets her on my chest as Travis screams, “She’s here!”
Tears of joy stream down his face as he places his hand on her back, taking in the moment of seeing his daughter for the first time. “I’m your daddy,” he says with a huge smile on his face.
Hearing him say this makes me burst into tears. I couldn’t be happier with the life I live and the family I have. I’ve been blessed in so many ways, and the birth of our daughter just adds to that.
“Is she here?” I hear my mom, Judy, ask from the door. She peeks her head in with Christine, Travis’s mom, right behind her.
“Yes, come see!” Travis says, and they all shout out cheers.
Leighton runs in first and straight to my side. “Hi,” he says. “I’m your big brother.”
Everyone laughs as he leans back, holding his shirt out for her to see.
“What’s her name?” my mom asks.
My eyes meet with Travis as we both grin with our choice. We wanted to keep it a secret, and when he nods, I smile big as I say, “Justine,” a blend of our mothers’ names.
“Oh!” Christine bursts out in even more tears.
“I love it!” my mom says as she wraps her arm around my father, giving him a hug.
As I glance at our family surrounding my bed, I can’t help but close my eyes and take in the moment.
Our moment.
Our family.
Every Other Memory by Kaylee Ryan
Chapter One
Cadence
The beat of the music pounds through the speakers. It’s so loud I can feel the vibration in my chest. Then again, maybe that’s the alcohol or possibly the fact that I’m done. After four long, grueling years, I’ve graduated from college. Not only am I a college graduate, but I got my results back today. I passed my boards. I am officially an occupational therapist. It’s time for me to enter the world of adulting, and I’m ready. I am so ready. I’ve busted my ass for this.
“Drink!” my best friend, Shelby, screams over the music. I nod my agreement, link hands with her, and follow her through the throng of people on the dance floor. “This place is on fire tonight,” she says once we reach the bar.
“That it is,” I agree.
“Two waters.” She holds up two fingers whe
n the bartender finally reaches us.
“I can’t believe I convinced you to come out with me,” she states, pulling me into a sweaty hug, making me laugh.
“You act like I never go out.” She gives me a look that says “you never go out,” and she’s right.
“You were the most dedicated student I know.”
I nod. She’s not wrong. I put everything into studying—no time for partying or skipping class. I needed to know that I was on the right track to a career where I would always be able to take care of myself financially. Luckily, my nose-to-the-grindstone determination in high school landed me scholarships. Add in my part-time job at the coffee shop, and I’m not only a college graduate, but I’m also debt-free. That’s almost unheard of—especially someone with my background. Hell, few in the foster care system make it to college. At least not the ones that I know. I, however, was determined. I am determined to make something of myself and my life.
“Now, if I could just convince you to find you a hottie to go home with, I’d call this night a success.” She wiggles her eyebrows, handing me a bottle of water.
“You know casual isn’t my thing.”
“You don’t have a thing,” she counters. “Besides, look around you, Cadence. You can have your pick. You’ve got the eye of every man in this room.”
“Uh, that would be you, my friend. Guilty by association.” Shelby is what most men, even most women, refer to as a blonde bombshell. She and I are the same height at five foot six, but my hair is dark to her light. Her eyes are an exotic brown, with gold hues, and her skin flawless. Whereas my eyes are a light blue, and my complexion fair.
“Don’t even,” she warns me. A slow smile crosses her face, and it’s one of mischief. I know it all too well. We’ve been roommates since our freshman year of college, and that look, that smile tells me she’s up to no good.
“Excuse me.” She places her manicured hand on the shoulder of the guy next to her. “I was hoping you could help me with something,” she coos. Yes, coos. The sound of her voice alone could have him eating out of the palm of her hand. “My friend here, she’s just gone through a bad breakup.” Lies. “He told her, well, let’s just say she’s feeling down about herself. What do you think? She’s beautiful, right?” she asks him.
His eyes rake over me from head to toe, stopping a little longer at my chest, making me regret the spaghetti strap form-fitting tank top I decided to wear tonight. I knew this place would be packed, and if Shelby and I agree on anything, it’s hitting the dance floor.
“She’s a fucking knockout,” the guy slurs.
“Thanks, sugar.” She winks at him, drops her hand, and focuses her attention on me. “Told you.”
“He’s drunk.”
“Drunk or sober, I’d take you home with me,” he chimes in, still listening to our conversation.
I give him a kind smile, grab Shelby’s arm, and pull her away from the bar, and to a small table that surprisingly is vacant next to the dance floor. “So, where’s Matt?”
“Who knows.” She rolls her eyes.
“Are you guys broken up again?” Shelby and Matt have a long history of on-again, off-again. It started our freshman year, and they’re still doing… whatever it is they do. One day they’re happy and moving forward. The next, they hate each other, and it’s over. I live with her, and I have a hard time keeping up.
Her shoulders slump, and the look in her eyes is defeated. “I don’t know, Cadence. I love him, but we’re toxic for one another. I want us to work, but I just don’t know if we’re able to get through all the bullshit and make it happen.”
“Maybe letting him go, I mean, really walking away for longer than a few days is what you guys need?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “I wish I had the answer. I know he’s struggling with football being over, and he’s not going on to the pros like a few of his friends on the team. That was never his plan, but it’s a huge part of his life that he’s going to miss.”
“Yeah, I get that. However, what about the last four years? He’s always put you second. That’s still going on now. There always seems to be something or some kind of excuse.”
“I know. Now that we’re graduated, I don’t know where we’re going.”
Reaching over the table, I place my hand over hers. “You two will figure it out. Just don’t hold out too long. I want to see you happy. Sometimes letting go is what it takes to make that happen.”
“Yeah,” she agrees when a shadow falls over our table.
Glancing up, Matt is standing there, hands shoved in his pockets, and a look more serious than I’ve ever seen from him on his face. “Hi.” His eyes are locked on Shelby. From the look of surprise on her face, she had no idea that he was going to be here.
“Hi.” The DJ slows things down a bit, and when he reaches his hand out to her, I know what he’s asking. From the way her eyes soften, she does too. Matt never dances with her. Never. She loves it, and it’s not something he ever takes part in.
“Will you dance with me?” he asks, his voice so soft I can barely hear him.
I watch as tears well in my best friend’s eyes and nods her agreement. She takes his hand and stands before turning to me. “Cad—” she starts, but I smile and shake my head.
“Go. I’ll be fine right here. This might be your moment,” I tell her. The smile she gives me lights up her face before she turns and allows the love of her life to lead her out on the dance floor. Regardless of how distant he’s always been, she loves him. Deep down I know he loves her too. I wish more than anything that they could get it figured out and be happy.
Not wanting to look like the loser sitting at a table all alone, I pull out my phone and begin to scroll through my emails. Shelby and I are moving to a new apartment, a bigger, better apartment, and we’re waiting for our move-in date. After scrolling as long as I can, I head back to the bar for a drink, this time of the alcoholic variety. I am celebrating after all.
Moving up to the bar, I raise my hand half a dozen times and still get ignored by the bartender. Shelby never has that problem.
“Allow me,” a deep husky voice says from behind me. Turning to look over my shoulder, I see a man with the most gorgeous hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. “What are you drinking?”
“Beer is fine, anything,” I tell him.
He nods before leaning in and placing one hand on the small of my back while raising the other to get the bartender's attention. His touch is like a jolt of electricity to my system, and even though my back is the only place he’s touching me, I feel him everywhere.
“Two beers,” he says, placing our order. “So, you come here often?” he asks with a smile as he slides onto the now vacant stool beside me.
“Does that line work for you?” I ask, not even trying to hide my smile.
“I’m not sure. This is my first time. How am I doing?”
“Meh.” I tilt the bottle of beer to my lips, trying not to smile.
“Okay. All right.” He chuckles. “I admit I need to step up my game. It would help if I spent less time working and more time doing… this.” His eyes roam around the bar.
“You’re not the only one,” I confess. “This is the first time I’ve been out in, well… I don’t really know how long. Too long, let’s just leave it at that.”
“Special occasion?”
“Kind of. I passed my state boards, so I am officially a licensed occupational therapist.” It’s the first time I’ve said those words aloud to anyone other than Shelby. I can’t believe college is over, and I did it. I graduated, and I made something of myself. For me, life is just beginning, and for the first time in a very long time, I’m excited for what’s to come next.
“That’s incredible.” He leans in and gives me a hug. His scent’s something woodsy, mixed with the alcohol on his breath. It’s intoxicating. “Congrats.”
The hug surprises me, but I find myself accepting his arms wrapped around me and hugging him back. “Thank you. It was a
long four years, but I’m done and ready to start my new career.”
“So what’s next?” he asks.
“I have a job lined up. It’s local. I did my internship with them, so I already know most of the staff.”
He nods. “I know you said you don’t do this scene often, but what do you like to do for fun?”
“Well…” I can feel my face start to heat as embarrassment coats my cheeks. “I’m not much for spontaneity. If I wasn’t in class or studying, I was working or sleeping.”
“Ah, so this really is a celebration for you.”
“Pretty much. I know I’m probably the most boring human on the planet, but my life… it’s not been the easiest, and I was determined to make something of myself.” I have no idea why I just told him all of that, but it’s too late to take the words back now.
“Drink up,” he says, taking a long pull from his bottle of beer. “We have some celebrating to do.”
“Do we now?” I smile at him, and he winks. This isn’t me. I’m not the girl who flirts at the club. My life has been hyper focused on graduation and my career. Now that I have all of that, I’m left feeling… unsettled, which is not how I thought I would feel at this stage in my life. Although I’m not much of a flirter, the easy banter with this handsome stranger seems to come naturally.
No harm in enjoying his company, right?
“Hell, yes, we do. You can’t just sit at the bar all night. You need the full experience, and I’m going to give it to you. You and I are going out there.” He points to the dance floor.
“I don’t even know your name.” It’s my lame attempt at stalling. This man is too gorgeous and too damn tempting. My experience with men is limited at best. My first and only priority was to graduate from college. Now that I’ve done that, I’m not exactly sure what to do with myself.
Maybe this handsome stranger is a good place to start.
A slow, sexy grin pulls at his lips as he slides off his stool and steps in close to me. He’s so close I can see the flecks of green, gold, and brown in his eyes. Maybe even a small amount of blue. They are the most mesmerizing eyes I’ve ever seen. Add in his dark hair, the five o’clock shadow, and the obviously toned body under that tight black T-shirt, and he’s absolutely mouthwatering. “We’re working on your spontaneity here, gorgeous.” He smirks. “Come on. Time’s a-wasting.”